ANDREW DAVIES FROM CLITHEROE AND STOKE-ON-TRENT JAILED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF THREE GIRLS

In a case that has shocked the communities of Clitheroe and Stoke-on-Trent, lorry driver Andrew Davies, aged 48, has been sentenced to seven and a half years in prison for the sexual abuse of three young girls. The sentencing took place at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court, where Judge Paul Glenn described Davies as a manipulative and cunning individual, emphasizing the severity of his actions and the ongoing risk he poses to children.

The court heard that Davies first indecently assaulted a young girl in Yorkshire in 2002. Despite the girl confiding in her sister and mother about the assault, no charges were filed at that time. It was only later, after Davies had moved to Stoke-on-Trent and begun working as a lorry driver, that further allegations emerged.

Prosecutor David Jackson detailed that Davies repeatedly subjected his second victim to indecent assaults while she was in his lorry, demonstrating a pattern of predatory behavior. The court also learned that a third victim was coerced into performing a sex act on Davies, who then threatened her with the words, “Don’t you dare tell anyone about this.”

It was only years later that the two victims from Stoke-on-Trent reported Davies’s misconduct. Despite denying the allegations and claiming he was not sexually attracted to young girls, Davies eventually pleaded guilty earlier this year to seven charges of indecent assault involving the three victims, spanning from 2001 to 2003.

Rebecca Young, representing Davies, highlighted that her client had lost everything—his family, friends, and livelihood. She also pointed out that Davies’s guilty plea spared his victims the trauma of giving evidence in court, which she described as a form of consideration for their well-being. She stated, “It has to be accepted on his behalf that all these offences will have had a devastating effect on all the girls and hopefully his guilty pleas will give them some closure.”

Judge Glenn expressed concern over Davies’s persistent and manipulative behavior, noting the significant risk he still poses to children. He described Davies as someone with a clear sexual attraction to young females, emphasizing his physical coercion of the third victim and his persistent approach with the first. The judge remarked, “It is plain you have a sexual attraction to young females. You are cunning and manipulative. It is plain you are an isolated individual now.”

Staffordshire Police welcomed the sentence, with Detective Constable Darren Bithell stating, “This sentence follows a lengthy investigation. We thoroughly investigate all allegations of sexual abuse, including historic offences, and work with partners to tackle these very serious crimes in a sensitive manner. Anyone with information about suspected sexual abuse should contact our Protecting Vulnerable People Department on 101.”